General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 7a -17.8 °C (0 °F) to -15 °C (5 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 9b
Plant Height: 36 - 48 inches
Plant Spread: 48 inches
Leaves: Unusual foliage color
Deciduous
Fragrant
Other: Gray-green
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Red
Other: Scarlet; red-orange; coral-red
Flower Time: Late spring or early summer
Summer
Late summer or early fall
Fall
Other: Deadheading flowers and flower stems ensures more flowering throughout the season.
Uses: Suitable as Annual
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Drought tolerant
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs excellent drainage in pots
Parentage: Salvia darcyi x Raspberry Delight

Image
Common names
  • Hybrid Sage
  • Salvia

'Scarlet Spires' was a featured
Plant of the Day for September 11, 2015.
Photo Gallery
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Date: 2021-09-29
A cluster of three plants... in its full September glory
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2012-09-28
Hummer flying up to enjoy all the 'SS' flowers. #Pollination
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2012-09-23
Ruby Throated Hummingbird enjoying the nectar of the flowers. #Po
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2012-09-28
#Pollination
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2015-09-16
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2014-06-13
One of my favorite Salvias!
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Date: 2013-06-29
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2012-09-28
#Pollination
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2015-09-16
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2012-09-23
#Pollination
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2013-07-03
Hummers love these flowers!
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2015-09-15
One of my favorite Salvias!
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2012-10-08
Surrounded among Salvias 'Mesa Purple' and 'San Carlos Festival'
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2012-10-08
Closeup
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2010-06-16
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2014-06-12
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2012-09-28
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2010-06-01
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2014-06-05
Love this Salvia a lot!
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2012-10-08
Blooming along side of Salvia 'Coral Nymph'
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2013-06-29
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2014-06-13
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2011-10-06
The color is off in the photo.
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2011-10-06
The color is 'off' in the photo.
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2011-10-24
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2011-10-28
This is still not the correct color.  Can't seem to get the true
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2011-10-28
This is still not the correct color.  Can't seem to get the true
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2011-10-28
This is still not the correct color.  Can't seem to get the true
Location: My garden in Kentucky
Date: 2012-09-26
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Comments:
  • Posted by Marilyn (Kentucky - Zone 6a) on Sep 12, 2015 6:13 PM concerning plant:
    Salvia 'Scarlet Spires' is an introduction by High Country Gardens. David Salman, the founding owner of High Country Gardens discovered it.

    It is a fantastic Salvia and is one of the best for attracting hummingbirds. I've seen hummers come up to those flowers for nectar more often than the other Salvias and flowers. They seem to "make a beeline" for Scarlet Spires.

    The large flowers just keep blooming and blooming, and the hummers always notice.
  • Posted by Marilyn (Kentucky - Zone 6a) on Dec 5, 2012 12:48 AM concerning plant:
    In 2012, I had a lot of different Salvias and this is the one the hummers went to most often, ignoring the other Salvias (that attracted hummers) right around it.

    I was so excited seeing it that I decided that if I got any Salvias at all, I just had to have this and several of them!

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